Welcome to BirdLife South Africa
The mission of BirdLife South Africa is to promote the enjoyment, conservation, study and understanding of wild birds and their habitats.
Why should we conserve birds?
- Birds are an important component part of the world's biodiversity, providing important ecosystem services
- Birds are indicators of the state of the environment. In general, places that are rich in bird species are also rich in other forms of biodiversity. Their presence indicates a healthy environment.
BirdLife South Africa is a registered non-profit, public benefit environmental organization and the only dedicated bird-conservation organisation in South Africa. We have over 6 000 members in 32 bird clubs throughout South Africa. Join as a member today or subscribe to our free electronic newsletter. Read more...


Support BirdLife South Africa
Join today. The more members we have, means a louder voice and more income for our important bird conservation work. Here are two other ways you can help support BirdLife South Africa:
BirdLife South Africa Honorary Patrons
BirdLife South Africa is honoured to have three distinguished South Africans, Mrs Gaynor Rupert, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Mr Mark Shuttleworth, as its Honorary Patrons. Read more
Diarise these dates

Spotlight on... 
Bird of the Year 2012 Birds are excellent flagships and important environmental indicators. Each year a Bird of the Year is chosen by BirdLife South Africa. By focusing on birds, the sites and the habitats on which they depend, BirdLife South Africa hopes to improve the quality of life for birds and ultimately for people.
Flock 2012 and Ornithological Conference The 83rd BirdLife South Africa Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 17 March 2012 at Pine Lodge, Port Elizabeth.The conference precedes the AGM (15-16 March at the same venue) and is co-organised by BirdLife South Africa and the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology.
Threatened bird species There are a number of globally and nationally threatened bird species in southern Africa. Download the threatened bird species list showing the red data status of the threatened bird species in South Africa. Read about BirdLife International's Preventing Extinctions Programme.
Birds and Wind Energy BirdLife South Africa and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) support wind farm developments wth adequate environmental assessments based on sufficient information on the influence of the development on relevant birds and their habitats.
Bird clubs BirdLife South Africa has many bird clubs across South Africa. These clubs run their own projects and provide opportunities to learn more about birds and go on outings. Bird clubs also provide a great social scene for birders and conservation-minded individuals to interact and have fun!
Save our Seabirds Seabirds are the most threatened group of birds in the world - almost one third of all seabird species are threatened with some extinction risk. We risk losing iconic birds such as the African Penguin and the majestic albatrosses that roam the southern oceans.
Useful quick links
 Bird call ringtones
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